Tempranillo is best known as the principal ingredient of Rioja, where is ability to age well is important. Being itself of relatively mild flavour it easily shows oak influences and allows other grape varieties to show their character.

"Some of the most expensive wines in Spain come from Rioja Alta and Rioja Alavesa," Pancho Campo, founder and president of the Wine Academy of Spain, says. "They are getting almost perfect ripeness every year now for Tempranillo. The same thing has happened in Bordeaux.